The Chhath Puja Festival sees thousand of Hindu devotee's across India and Nepal pay homage to Surya, the sun god, hoping to bring well-being, prosperity and happiness to their loved ones.

Chhath festival 2016
A Hindu devotee holds offerings as she worships Surya, the sun god, in the waters of a pond during the religious festival of Chhath puja in Kolkata, India Rupak De Chowdhuri/ Reuters

The festival is observed on the sixth and seventh days after Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights, and lasts for four days. During this time, rituals are performed such as fasting, holy bathing, abstaining from drinking water (Bata), standing in water for long periods of time and offering prashad (prayer offerings) and arghya to the setting and rising sun. In Hinduism, Sun worship is believed to help cure a variety of diseases and ensure the longevity and prosperity of family members, friends, and elders. IBTimesUK presents some of the best photos from Chhath puja:

Chhath festival 2016
Chhath festival 2016
Chhath festival 2016